"Horrific Change," Protests Victim... Minister Says, "Must Fix If Side Effects Arise"

[Anchor]

The victim of the Busan roundhouse kick incident left an angry comment on the social media account of Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Yong-min, who spearheaded the passage of the bill to abolish prosecutors' supplementary investigation powers. Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho also stated that laws must be swiftly revised if side effects occur.

Reporter Jeon Yeonnam has the story.

[Reporter]

This is a comment left by Kim Jin-ju, the victim of the Busan roundhouse kick incident, on a social media post by Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Yong-min's side.

Regarding the post suggesting that former President Roh Moo-hyun would be "happy" about the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act, Kim Jin-ju protested by writing, "Go to hell."

In a phone interview with SBS, Kim said the comment was "the most sanitized expression" she could manage, calling the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act that abolishes prosecutors' supplementary investigation powers a "horrific change."

[Kim Jin-ju (pseudonym) / Victim of the Busan roundhouse kick incident: I think I wrote it using the most sanitized expression possible... I just couldn't hold it in after seeing that post. I think it is a truly horrific change.]

She also pointed out that "it is a bill that leaves out crime victims."

[Kim Jin-ju (pseudonym) / Victim of the Busan roundhouse kick incident: Because the people who will suffer are so clearly visible, I think this will ultimately come with a price. (I want to say that) judicial reform for politicians is unnecessary for victims.]

Previously, organizations such as the Korea Sexual Violence Relief Center also expressed regret, stating, "Prosecutorial reform to guarantee victims' rights has not been achieved."

Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho also stated that if there are side effects, the bill should be amended.

[Jung Sung-ho / Minister of Justice: This is probably the first time the Criminal Procedure Act has been amended at the speed of light. If side effects or problems that exceed the scope of predictability emerge, we will supplement them swiftly....]

Regarding the plan proposed by the Democratic Party as a supplementary measure to mandate the transfer of all cases ("full case referral") for seven major crimes targeting the socially vulnerable, Minister Jung requested that the scope of the seven major crimes be actively established during subsequent legislation to ensure the vulnerable are protected to the maximum extent possible.

(Video Editing: Chae Chul-ho)

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